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The ROG Ally X is not an upcoming handheld. ASUS confirmed it on June 2, 2024, opened US preorders at $799.99, and subsequently released it as a refreshed version of the original ROG Ally. Its biggest upgrades are an 80Wh battery, 24GB of memory, 1TB of storage, improved ergonomics, redesigned cooling, and two USB-C ports. However, it retains the original Ally’s AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor and 7-inch 1080p/120Hz display.
What is the ROG Ally X?
The ROG Ally X (2024), model RC72LA, is a mid-generation refresh of ASUS’s Windows gaming handheld. It is better understood as a more practical, longer-lasting version of the high-end ROG Ally—not as a full “Ally 2” with a new processor generation.
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ASUS confirmed the device on June 2, 2024. The company kept the Ryzen Z1 Extreme platform but redesigned much of the hardware around it, including the battery, memory configuration, storage format, chassis, cooling system, controls, and ports.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsThat distinction matters in 2026. The Ally X can be a substantial upgrade in endurance and usability, but buyers expecting a dramatic frame-rate increase, an OLED screen, or a new GPU architecture should look elsewhere.
#1 Best Overall
- 🚀 AMD RYZEN AI Z2 EXTREME PERFORMANCE: Powered by the AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme 8-core, 16-thread processor (up to 5.0GHz max turbo) with AMD Radeon Graphics and 24MB smart cache, delivering ultra-smooth performance for AAA gaming, AI workloads, and multitasking.(Japan Version. It can be used in the United States with the included plug adapter, and the system language can be switched to English for normal use.)
- 💾 24GB LPDDR5X RAM & 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD: Equipped with 24GB high-speed LPDDR5X onboard memory and a 1TB M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe SSD for lightning-fast boot times, quick game loading, and seamless multitasking across demanding applications.
- 🖥️ 7” FHD 120HZ TOUCHSCREEN DISPLAY: Experience crisp visuals on a 7-inch Full HD (1920×1080) IPS-level touchscreen with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, responsive touch control, and vivid color reproduction for immersive gameplay.
- ❄️ ERGONOMIC DESIGN & INTELLIGENT COOLING: Designed for comfort during extended gaming sessions, featuring ergonomic grips and ROG’s advanced intelligent cooling system to maintain consistent performance under heavy workloads.
- 🎮 WINDOWS 11 WITH XBOX & PC GAME ECOSYSTEM: Runs on Windows 11, providing full compatibility with Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games Store, and other PC platforms—offering a true hybrid experience that blends console-style gaming with PC flexibility.
Model-name warning: “ROG Ally X” normally means the 2024 Z1 Extreme handheld. The newer ROG Xbox Ally X, announced in 2025, is a separate product with a Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor and Xbox-focused software features.
ROG Ally X launch date and price
ASUS announced the ROG Ally X on June 2, 2024, with US preorders available through Best Buy at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $799.99. The handheld has since launched and is a released product, not a 2026 device still waiting for its retail debut.
The ASUS announcement confirms the announcement and preorder milestones but does not provide a precise retail-release day. It is therefore more accurate to say that the Ally X was announced and preordered in June 2024, then subsequently became available to buy, rather than presenting an exact launch date as an ASUS-confirmed fact.
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ROG Ally X specifications
| Specification | ROG Ally X (2024) |
|---|---|
| Processor | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme; Zen 4, 8 cores/16 threads, up to 5.1GHz |
| Graphics | Integrated AMD Radeon RDNA 3; 12 compute units, up to 2.7GHz |
| Memory | 24GB LPDDR5X-7500-class onboard memory |
| Storage | 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 2280 SSD; ASUS also lists a 2TB configuration |
| Battery | 80Wh, four-cell lithium-ion |
| Display | 7-inch 1920×1080 touchscreen, 120Hz, FreeSync Premium, 500 nits |
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home |
| Ports | USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C; USB4 Type-C with DisplayPort 1.4 and power delivery; UHS-II microSD; 3.5mm audio |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.4, subject to regional and operating-system qualifications |
| Weight | 678g / 1.49lb |
| Dimensions | Approximately 28.0 × 11.1 × 2.47–3.69cm |
| Power adapter | 65W USB-C adapter |
Full regional specifications are available on ASUS’s ROG Ally X specification page. Chargers, bundled offers, availability, and configurations can differ by country.
What changed from the original ROG Ally?
The battery doubled in capacity
The Ally X has an 80Wh battery, compared with 40Wh in the original Ally. That is the headline upgrade and makes the X much more appealing for travel, commutes, and long sessions away from an outlet.
Rank #2
- 🖥️ High-Performance 7" Gaming & Productivity Display | 1920x1080 Glare TFT LCD with 120Hz refresh rate delivers ultra-smooth visuals for gaming & streaming; 10-point capacitive multi-touch panel + precision pointing device ensures intuitive control. Powered by Windows 11 Home 64-bit, this black handheld balances portability (11.4"x4.8"x1.1", 1.6 lbs) and immersive play.
- ⚡ Top-Tier AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme Processor | 8-core/16-thread chip paired with integrated AMD Radeon Graphics, 24GB LPDDR5X-8000 onboard memory & 1TB PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe SSD for lightning-fast load times, seamless multitasking & crisp gaming graphics. Max power consumption of 65W optimizes performance without excessive energy drain.
- 🔋 Long-Lasting Battery & Flexible Power Options | 4-cell 80Wh lithium polymer battery offers up to 13.9hrs of video playback or 22.3hrs of idle use—ideal for all-day gaming marathons or remote work.
- 🎮 Professional Gaming Controls & Smart Features | Full layout with left/right sticks, D-pad, A/B/X/Y buttons, bumpers/triggers, 2 macro buttons & dedicated Xbox/display/library keys for customized gameplay. Built-in accelerometer/gyroscope for motion control; Windows Hello fingerprint recognition ensures secure, one-touch login.
- 🔌 Versatile Connectivity & Complete Accessories Kit | Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth 5.4 for lag-free online gaming & device pairing; 2 Type-C ports (USB 4 + USB 3.2 Gen2) support data transfer, video output & PD charging.
Twice the battery capacity does not mean universally twice the gaming runtime. Actual battery life depends on the game, wattage mode, screen brightness, frame-rate limit, resolution, Windows activity, and background processes. Demanding AAA games running at 25W or 30W can still drain the battery quickly. Lower-power games, older titles, and emulation should show the clearest benefit.
The larger battery also adds weight: the Ally X is specified at 678g, compared with approximately 608g for the original Ally. ASUS redesigned the chassis to accommodate the battery without simply making the device proportionally bulkier, but the weight increase remains an important ergonomic trade-off.
It has 24GB of shared memory
The original Ally had 16GB of memory; the Ally X increases that to 24GB LPDDR5X-7500-class onboard memory. Because the Ryzen Z1 Extreme uses integrated graphics, Windows and the GPU share system memory.
The additional capacity gives the integrated Radeon graphics more allocation headroom and leaves more room for Windows, background processes, demanding games, and high-resolution textures. The benefit is workload-dependent, however. More memory does not make the processor or graphics architecture equivalent to a newer chip, nor does it add the performance of a discrete graphics card.
Storage is larger and easier to replace
The standard Ally X configuration includes a 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 2280 SSD, while ASUS also lists a 2TB configuration. The original Ally commonly shipped with 512GB and used the shorter M.2 2230 format.
The move to M.2 2280 is useful because it opens up a wider range of replacement SSDs. It does not mean every 2280 drive is equally suitable: power consumption, heat output, physical clearance, and warranty considerations still matter.
Rank #3
- [Xbox experience brought to life by ROG] : The Xbox gaming legacy meets ROG's decades of premium hardware design in the ROG Xbox Ally. Boot straight into the Xbox experience just like a console.
- [Xbox Game Bar integration] : Launch Game Bar with a tap of the Xbox button or play your favorite titles natively from platforms like Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games, or Windows games on the go.
- [All your games, all your progress]: Powered by Windows 11, the ROG Xbox Ally gives you access to your full library of PC games from Xbox and other game stores. With Xbox Play Anywhere, you can pick up right where you left off on your PC or Xbox and jump back into the game anytime.
- [Never stop gaming]: Powered by ultra-efficient AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, the ROG Xbox Ally offers console-caliber performance and can game for hours, even away from a wall outlet.
- [Game-ready storage and fast memory]: Store your full library and multitask seamlessly with 1TB SSD and 16GB of LPDDR5 6400MHz RAM. The ROG Xbox Ally makes playing any game in the palm of your hand possible.
Replacing the SSD requires opening the handheld and reinstalling or cloning Windows. Back up your data and recovery information first. A larger drive increases game capacity, but it does not improve CPU or GPU performance. The microSD slot is a simpler expansion option, although demanding games may load differently depending on the card’s sustained performance and reliability.
The chassis and controls were redesigned
The Ally X uses a darker black finish and revised grips rather than the original Ally’s white shell. ASUS also changed the joystick design, controls, and overall ergonomics. The specification sheet lists two rear assignable buttons, Hall-effect analog triggers, an integrated gyroscope, and haptics.
These changes target everyday comfort and control rather than headline performance. Whether the new shape is more comfortable depends on hand size and personal preference, so manufacturer design claims should not be treated as a universal comfort verdict.
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ASUS redesigned the thermal system with smaller fans, thinner fan blades, a new airflow path, and a third exhaust vent. ASUS claims the system moves up to 24% more air and can keep the touch panel up to 6°C cooler.
Those are ASUS engineering claims, not universal independent test results. The practical goal is better sustained operation and a cooler-feeling chassis, but results vary with ambient temperature, power mode, firmware, and game workload.
There are two USB-C ports
The original Ally combined charging, display output, accessories, and the ROG XG Mobile interface through one USB-C port. The Ally X adds a second port:
Rank #4
- [Superior Display] 7" IPS FHD (1920x1080) 120Hz Touchscreen Display; Wi-Fi 6E MT7922, Bluetooth 5.4, No Fingerprint
- [Powerful Performance] 2nd Gen Ryzen Z2 A 2.80GHz Processor (upto 3.8 GHz, 4MB Cache, 4-Cores, 8-Threads, ); AMD Radeon shared Integrated Graphics
- [High Speed and Multitasking] 16GB OnBoard RAM; 65W PSU, Type-C Power-In, 4-Cell 60 WHr Battery; White Color
- [Enormous Storage] 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD; 2 USB 3.2 Type-C, Micro SD Reader, Headphone/Microphone Combo Jack, Windows 11 Home-64, 1 Year Manufacturer warranty from GreatPriceTech (Professionally upgraded by GreatPriceTech)
- [Includes] Dockztorm 11-in-1 RGB Docking Station for ROG Xbox Ally/ROG Ally X/ROG Ally, it combines 10 physical ports with RGB lighting: HDMI, RJ45, USB-C host, USB-C 10Gbps, USB-A ports, PD input, plus SD/TF slots—built to expand your ROG Ally setup for gaming, networking, and accessories
- One USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port.
- One USB4 Type-C port with DisplayPort 1.4 and power-delivery support.
This is a meaningful quality-of-life improvement. You can connect a display, dock, storage device, or other accessory with more flexibility while keeping charging options practical. ASUS describes the USB4 port as Thunderbolt 4-compliant, but compatibility with every dock, eGPU, display, or accessory should still be checked against that device’s requirements.
What did not change?
The Ally X retains the same core platform as the high-end original Ally:
- AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme: Zen 4, eight cores and 16 threads, with integrated RDNA 3 graphics.
- 7-inch display: 1920×1080 resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, FreeSync Premium, 500-nit stated brightness, 100% sRGB coverage, touchscreen input, and Gorilla Glass Victus protection.
- Windows 11 foundation: It remains a Windows 11 Home handheld PC rather than a closed console.
There is no new processor generation or fundamentally different GPU architecture. The Ally X can perform better in some situations because of its memory headroom, cooling changes, and ability to sustain higher power more practically, but it should not be described as a major CPU or GPU-generation upgrade.
Is the ROG Ally X faster?
Sometimes, but the answer depends on the game and settings. The unchanged Ryzen Z1 Extreme means the Ally X does not automatically deliver a large frame-rate increase over an original Z1 Extreme Ally.
The 24GB memory pool can help games that are constrained by shared system and graphics memory. Improved cooling may also help maintain performance under sustained loads. But gains will vary with resolution, texture settings, memory allocation, wattage, firmware, and the particular game. Buyers should think of the Ally X primarily as an endurance, capacity, and usability upgrade—not as a replacement for a newer graphics platform.
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Windows 11 and game compatibility
Windows gives the Ally X broad access to PC software. You can install Steam, Xbox PC Game Pass, Epic Games Store, GOG, other launchers, mods, and ordinary Windows applications. ASUS markets the handheld around this flexibility and offers a three-month PC Game Pass promotion in eligible markets, subject to regional terms and eligibility.
Best Value
- DISPLAY SPECS: 7-inch FHD screen with impressive 120Hz refresh rate delivers smooth, responsive gaming visuals at 1920 x 1200 resolution
- PROCESSING POWER: Equipped with AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor for high-performance mobile gaming and multitasking capabilities
- STORAGE & MEMORY: Features a generous 24GB memory configuration and spacious 1TB SSD for extensive game library storage
- OPERATING SYSTEM: Runs on Windows platform, providing access to extensive PC gaming libraries and applications
- DESIGN FEATURES: Touchscreen functionality with Wi-Fi connectivity in a portable handheld form factor, finished in sleek black
The trade-off is that Windows is less console-like. Users may need to interact with desktop controls, sign in to multiple launchers, install updates, troubleshoot overlays, or adjust controller behavior. Anti-cheat systems, launchers, and game-specific input support can also vary.
Armoury Crate SE provides a handheld-oriented library and control layer, but its features and behavior can change with Windows updates, BIOS updates, firmware, AMD drivers, and newer software releases. It is best treated as a useful management tool rather than a guarantee that every Windows game will behave like a console title.
Who should buy the ROG Ally X?
It is a strong fit if you:
- Want a Windows handheld with access to several PC storefronts.
- Value battery capacity more than a new processor generation.
- Play demanding games that can benefit from additional shared memory.
- Want 1TB of included storage or easier M.2 2280 replacement options.
- Need two USB-C ports for charging, displays, docks, or accessories.
- Prefer a 120Hz VRR screen and built-in controls.
- Want a handheld that can also function as a small Windows PC.
It is a weaker fit if you:
- Already own the original Z1 Extreme Ally and mainly want higher frame rates.
- Expect an OLED display, a larger screen, or a different aspect ratio.
- Prefer SteamOS and the Steam Deck interface.
- Want the lightest possible handheld.
- Mostly play plugged in and do not value the 80Wh battery.
- Want the newest AMD handheld processor.
- Prefer a console-style interface with minimal Windows maintenance.
Should original ROG Ally owners upgrade?
The upgrade is easiest to justify when the original Ally’s main problems are battery life, storage, connectivity, or shared-memory limits. The Ally X is particularly compelling if you regularly travel, find 512GB restrictive, need a second USB-C port, or want revised grips and controls.
It is less compelling if your original Z1 Extreme Ally already lasts long enough, stays mostly at a desk, and runs your games acceptably. In that case, the same processor and display mean the Ally X may feel like a refinement rather than a new performance class.
ROG Ally X versus ROG Xbox Ally X
These are different generations and should not be treated as renamed versions of the same handheld.
| ROG Ally X (2024) | ROG Xbox Ally X (2025) | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor platform | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme | AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme |
| Software positioning | Windows 11 with ASUS Armoury Crate SE | Windows handheld with Xbox-focused software integration |
| US price signal | $799.99 on the ASUS listing checked August 16, 2026 | $999.99 on the ASUS listing checked during the same research pass |
Choose between them based on current pricing, the value you place on the newer processor platform, and whether Xbox-oriented software features matter to you. The 2024 Ally X remains the relevant model for buyers specifically seeking its 80Wh battery, 24GB memory, and lower listed price.
Practical accessories to consider
None of these accessories is essential, but each addresses a specific limitation:
- 65W USB-C charger: Useful as a travel or office charger. A low-wattage phone charger may not provide the intended high-performance charging experience.
- USB-C dock or hub: Look for power-delivery passthrough, suitable HDMI or DisplayPort support, enough wattage, and clearance for the Ally X’s ports.
- M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 SSD: Appropriate for large libraries, but back up the system and plan for Windows reinstallation or cloning. Do not choose solely by desktop-class peak benchmark speeds.
- UHS-II microSD card: Convenient for expansion. Use a reputable, genuine-capacity card from a reliable retailer.
- Protective case: Choose one specifically labeled for the Ally X. The revised, heavier chassis means some original Ally cases may not fit or may block ventilation and ports.
Bottom line
The ROG Ally X was officially confirmed in 2024 and is already a released product. At its original $799.99 US MSRP—and potentially more attractive when discounted—it remains a sensible choice for buyers who want a Windows handheld with an unusually large battery, 24GB of shared memory, 1TB storage, and dual USB-C connectivity.
It is not the right upgrade for everyone. The Ryzen Z1 Extreme and 7-inch 1080p/120Hz display carry over, so owners seeking a major performance jump or OLED visuals should compare newer handhelds. Before buying in 2026, check the current price and distinguish the 2024 ROG Ally X from the separate ROG Xbox Ally X.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
